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Day
1: Departure
Our life-changing journey begins this evening as we board our
overnight flight to Munich, Germany.
Day 2: Arrival Munich
This day is free to check in to your hotel for the evening,
sightsee on your own, relax and prepare for the excitement ahead.
Dinner is included tonight at the hotel.
Day 3: Munich - Oberammergau
Our sightseeing begins with a morning driving tour of Munich
including outside views of the Pinakotheken art museums, the world
famous Hofbräuhaus, the National Theater with the Royal Palace, Free
time for lunch and shopping will be allowed at the Marienplatz and
the Viktualien market with its colorful outdoor stalls. This
afternoon, we enjoy a wonderful ride through the Bavarian
countryside to our lodging for the next two evenings.
Day 4: Oberammergau Performance
Your morning is free to enjoy the delightful village of
Oberammergau with outstanding opportunities for photos and shopping.
Lunch is provided by the Oberammergau Committee. This afternoon and
evening we enjoy the Passion Play production. The play depicts the
story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem
and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration, a moving and
spectacular experience. Each performance starts at 2:30 pm and ends
approximately 10:30 pm, with a three-hour dinner break/intermission
from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Day 5:
Arrive Greece
This morning we transfer to Munich for our flight to Greece. We
arrive in
Athens and check into our
hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take
a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the
city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable
European style dinners.
Day 6: Athens free day
Today is a free day in Athens. Options for today include the
museums of the city, the Plaka shopping district, a full day trip to
Delphi, or a half day trip to Cape Sounion.
Day 7: Cruising Mykonos
We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos,
called the island of windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with
shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze
of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and
evening entertainment.
Day 8: Ephesus and Patmos
Docking in
Turkey, enjoy an optional
tour of
Ephesus, the city of the
Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress with
miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of
250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations
of the major streets in this ancient city. We'll view the Library,
Agora, Temple of Artemis and visit the Basilica of St. John. The
basilica is believed to be the site of the grave of John. From here
we'll also enjoy a panoramic view of the area. This afternoon we
visit the Isle of
Patmos, under statutory
protection as a historic monument. Here we have a tour to see the
fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where
John received the Revelation. Back on the ship, enjoy the Captain's
dinner before settling in to your cabin for the night.
Day 9: Crete and Santorini
Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Take
an optional tour to Heraklion and the fantastic ruins of the Palace
of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the
elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King
Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. This afternoon visit
the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of
all the Greek Islands. The town of Thira where white-washed houses,
narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to
steep cliffs, is accessible by foot path, cable-car or mule. You
may choose to take an optional tour of sailing around an active
volcano crater and swimming in the water heated by hot springs or
enjoy this lovely island on foot. Again we return to the ship for
dinner and evening entertainment.
Day 10: Disembark Cruise – Athens
We disembark the cruise this morning and travel into Athens, the
foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and
Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and
preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include
the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life),
the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic
Stadium, and Presidential Palace. A short walk from your hotel is
the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes. Our lodging is
in Athens for the next two evenings.
Day 11: Corinth and Mycenae
Following breakfast this morning we depart Athens. We
immediately travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth
Canal. We then travel to the ancient city of
Corinth, another treat for
the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of
Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the
Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in
the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars,
steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance
your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this
important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone
path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and
intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that
still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to
show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period.
After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to Mycenae where the
remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age to see the
famous Lionesse Gate, the Tomb of Agamemnon in the shape of a
Beehive, and many other sites before continuing back to Athens.
Day 12: Meteora Monastery
From Athens, our tour travels northward past
Thermopylae where we learn
of the famous Spartan battle of 300. We continue through the
mountains to Meteroa. Here we see the world famous Byzantine
monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock
pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to
the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves
then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later
transformed into monasteries. Our lodging this evening will be in
Meteora.
Day 13: Vergina, Berea, Thessalonica
Traveling northward into Macedonia we visit King Phillip's
(Alexander's father) tomb in Vergina, one of the most outstanding
finds in all of Greece. A stop will be made in
Berea to view the ancient
synagogue where Paul spoke and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of
Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church.
Driving through town we see remnants of the original Roman road that
spanned the nation during Paul’s time. The New Testament books of I
& II Thessalonians will come alive to us today as we arrive in the
delightful harbor city of Thessalonica. En route to the hotel we
will view the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St.
George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into
a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via
Egnatia. We spend two nights here.
Day 14: Thessalonica/Philippi/Kavala
We begin the day by following the massive battlement Byzantine wall
to the citadel for a panoramic view of the city. Next, we will visit
Philippi and
Kavala. Kavala is Greece's
prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here
with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also
came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later
renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to
accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of
the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the
Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th
century as Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his
first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on
European soil. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia
surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the
Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul.
See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the
Theatre. We return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius basilica,
dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred
Christian convert before returning to the hotel for our final night.
Day 15: Homeward Bound
We transfer to the airport for our flight back to the USA.
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